Budding cyclists can saddle up to pedal the route of the Tour de France, months before the famous race arrives in Sheffield.

They can try out two special stationary bikes in the Winter Garden and complete Le Grande Départ, the challenging 200km route from York to Sheffield which will be completed for real on Sunday July 6.

The bikes will be available all week, and riders can check their progress along the route on a big screen as they pedal, as part of Communities Week from the city’s two universities.

Sheffield Central MP Paul Blomfield was one of the first to give it a try yesterday to support Sheffield Hallam University’s sponsorship of Le Grande Départ.

Lindsey White, senior schools and liaison manager, said: “Anyone taking part will be given a flag map pin to write their name on and add to the map of the routes and we will also be counting down the distance of the routes after each person takes part.”